Border crossing warning. (sex offenders, authority, activity)

[western mass and love it]

For years my family would go and visit relatives in Derby line VT every summer, Their house was actually right on the border with the neighbor behind them being in Canada. We would go and play with those kids and ride our bikes in their neighborhood and all over with out ever going through the checkpoint. Is this still possible or has that been snuffed out also. The streets were all connected and you could literally go back and forth without any restrictions. I have not been there since the early 80's so I am wondering if this is still a possibility.

[susansarel]

it is not possible for adults or children to cross the border in playful manner such as riding bikes and walking across to get a pizza at the Derby Line crossing. Days Gone By.

Just recently a local businessman did that (as he had done many years prior) and was fined hundreds of dollars. He is fighting this and hired a lawyer. Unfortunately, I am sure he will lose. Immigration law rules.

[mikeyyc]

Officers on the border - both sides, have an incredible amount of discretion to either let you go, or make your day miserable. The whole object is to let them use it. If you "forgot" that you were convicted of something, or "it's only minor" so you didn't mention it, and they find it, congratulations, you're now a liar.

Being deceptive, intentionally or unintentionally, removes a lot of flexibility, and generally frustrates people. If you are honest, and give them something to work with, then things will likely work in your favour. Not all the time, because there's jerks everywhere in every job, but why hamstring yourself because you decided it wasn't important.

[susansarel]

wow, "you are now a liar". this makes me laugh. Why? Let me tell you.

I have a story behind my one time 30 year distant offense. It is minor. Not to them. maybe not to you. My story would probably shock you but I wont bore you.

Anyway, I know people who are 100% criminal record free. One uses pot on a daily basis, cultivates it, and buys it occasionally. But he is free of a criminal record.

Another is an adulterer in his marriage. Not an offensable crime, but one of marriage.

Still another, has gay sex in a park.

All of these people I have met and known through the years have no criminal record.

I have never used drugs of any kind. I am faithful in my marriage and have never had sex in a park of any kind.

But I have a misdemeanor criminal record.

Want to argue with this message?

[mikeyyc]

Originally Posted by susansarel

Want to argue with this message?

Nope. Other than having friends who are morally questionable, none of that relates to crossing an international border.

I don't know what you call it, but if you don't tell the truth, generally, it's called a lie.

If you do it, that would make you a liar.

It's not a judgement, but it is accurate.

If you do it to a government official, who knows nothing about you, other than that at your first encounter you were mislead, what do you think they think?

[susansarel]

Do you really think that if you "talk nice" to a border patrol power trip head case, they will make nicey nicey?

Get real.

I live 7 miles from a border and am familiar with many of them. They are almost minimum wage employees who think they are CIA.

You are grossly misinformed. They will treat you badly whether you are nice, people lie to keep them from humiliating them. Who called them "nazis".

That is accurate.

best,

s

[avironneur]

I find the American ones certainly have that attitude - my encounters with the Canadian agents have typically been more positive.

For reference, dual citizen here (but now that I have NEXUS my experience is different than the average when I go through the NEXUS lane)

[avironneur]

Originally Posted by susansarel

wow, "you are now a liar". this makes me laugh. Why? Let me tell you.

I have a story behind my one time 30 year distant offense. It is minor. Not to them. maybe not to you. My story would probably shock you but I wont bore you.

Anyway, I know people who are 100% criminal record free. One uses pot on a daily basis, cultivates it, and buys it occasionally. But he is free of a criminal record.

Another is an adulterer in his marriage. Not an offensable crime, but one of marriage.

Still another, has gay sex in a park.

All of these people I have met and known through the years have no criminal record.

I have never used drugs of any kind. I am faithful in my marriage and have never had sex in a park of any kind.

But I have a misdemeanor criminal record.

Want to argue with this message?

We're not here to discuss morals - your friends are free to do what they want but if caught they could face misdemeanor and/or felony charges for some of those activities (others probably not) - the fundamental difference here isn't one of moral vs immoral it's that you were a) caught b) charged and c) now have a record for an offence (no matter how old this may be) and did not disclose this to the border agent.

If your friends are caught and charged for some of their activities and fail to disclose these charges then you will be on equal footing with them.

[susansarel]

Oh I love the righteous ones the same ones who have the lynch mob effect. you see them on every forum.

But please do not comment if you do not have a misdemeanor or felony and dont know how people can harass, humiliate and degrade you. Only if you have been through this can you know.

I have come to the conclusion that if I am ultimately denied entry into Canada I will be fine. I have been maybe 100 tiimes and that's cool. I can accept this and move on.

best,

s

[avironneur]

I am not judging what you did - I personally think that the whole thing is stupid as well!

You can apply for what Canada calls "rehabilitation" which will allow your record to be expunged especially since your offence is so old.

It's basically a cash grab in my opinion but it would assist you with getting across the border freely and easily